[gnso-contactinfo-pdp-wg] Definitions of translation and transliteration

["Dillon, Chris" <c.dillon@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear colleagues,

So far, we are using the following definitions of translation and 
transliteration:
Translation: The process of conveying the meaning of some passage of text in 
one language, so that it can be expressed equivalently in another language. 
<RFC6365>
Transliteration: The process of representing the characters of an alphabetical 
or syllabic system of writing by the characters of a conversion alphabet. 
<RFC6365>

Thoughts about translation
As meaning is involved, it is possible to have more than one correct English 
translation of the same foreign language text. For example, one version may be 
literal, another less loyal but better English. Does anybody have a good 
example of this phenomenon?
As more than one correct translation is possible, translation is not normally a 
reversible process. An exception would be when a controlled vocabulary is used. 
Such a vocabulary may be useful for contact information. For example, it may be 
possible always to translate the Japanese word ビル /biru/ as "building". Even in 
closely related languages, controlled vocabularies may produce nonsense. For 
example, German erst(e) is usually 'first' and Hilfe is usually 'help'. 
However, erste Hilfe is 'first aid', NOT 'first help'.

Thoughts about transliteration
The key word here is the word "process". Transliteration should be systematic. 
Ideally anyone transliterating should produce the same result. Typically it 
follows an ISO standard or government legislation. This may then be simplified 
in some way. For example, the Chinese example in 
https://community.icann.org/display/tatcipdp/Chinese+Addresses has the tone 
marks, that according to the Chinese transliteration rules should be there, 
removed.
Transliteration does not mean:
Representations where features from several systems mixed together, for 
example, Itou or Itoh for Japanese 伊藤 or 伊東.
Transliteration may be reversible in the case of alphabetic writing systems 
etc., as long as no letter in either script is represented by more than one 
letter in the other script. Thai, for example, is probably not reversible as it 
frequently represents the same sound with different letters depending on the 
tone of the syllable. See, for example, the high and low letters kho here: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_alphabet#Alphabetic

Regards,

Chris.
--
Research Associate in Linguistic Computing, Centre for Digital Humanities, UCL, 
Gower St, London WC1E 6BT Tel +44 20 7679 1599 (int 31599) 
ucl.ac.uk/dis/people/chrisdillon

From: owner-gnso-contactinfo-pdp-wg@xxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:owner-gnso-contactinfo-pdp-wg@xxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Julie Hedlund
Sent: 06 February 2014 18:44
To: gnso-contactinfo-pdp-wg@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [gnso-contactinfo-pdp-wg] Actions: PDP WG on 
Translation/Transliteration of Contact Info

Dear PDP WG members,

Please see below the actions from our meeting on 06 February.  These also are 
posted to the wiki page 
at:https://community.icann.org/display/tatcipdp/06+February+2014.

Actions:
1.  Ching Chao will convey to the Council the PDP WG's request to get an agenda 
item on the Council meeting on 27 February so that the WG can bring to the 
Council its request for input.

2.  Proposed Questions: Ask WG members to continue to suggest refinements on 
the list and the wiki.  Question 1 -- ADD: What is the definition of 
translation and transliteration? Questions 3 & 4: Consider whether there are 
related questions or links to existing information.

1.  What is contact information (review and expand on the taxonomies)?

2.  Why are we doing this?; is this particular feature necessary?

3.  Who gets access to what?

4.  Who are the stakeholders?; who is affected? and what do they want (linking 
back to What)?

5.  How much would a particular feature cost and how to weigh the costs versus 
the benefits?

6.  When would policy come into effect?

7.  What should be mandatory?
Best regards,

Julie

Julie Hedlund, Policy Director